Huaraz

Huaraz Travel Blog

Holy crap, altitude sickness. The plan was CircuitoLlanganuco Santa Cruz starting in Huaraz. It turned out to be one of those classic it all came together travelling experiences. I swapped a pair of shoes for the tour, they were a little small. The guide needed a new pair and was keen to trade them, a zero sum game all round. A good start indeed.

The pictures tell most of the story however a few noteworthy extras would have to be the trekkers from Austria. I have to hand it to them, thanks for making the trip an amusing affair.

The singing in the bus was most entertaining, four part harmonies, traditional mountain ditties. Poor old Hans dropped his Leatherman and camera down a pit toilet before the trek even began, followed by some optimistic prodding with a long stick.

Second night, ice on the tent in the morning

Hans 2 was bitten by flies causing significant swelling, his knuckles and wrists completely disappeared. Hans 2 later sat on a cactus, it wasnÂ´t long before his pants were round his ankles and Hans 3 went to work with his tweezers. Hans 2 was really in the wars, he noticed I fillied my bottle from the river, but missed the finer details, purification tablets. Lucky for him I had an ample supply of Imodium, thanks mum, I knew someone would need them.

Hans 4 had his own episode. Little known to me high altitude trekkers use colostomy bags thereby staying warm throughout the night. Obviously not a full proof solution, Hans was seen washing his mattress and pants and airing his sleeping bag the following day. Hans 4 later provided an animated explanation, props included.

Altitude sickness is terrible, the first night in particular. No sleep, spinning in my tent, headaches and extreme nausea.

The road (pictured) is the second highest car pass in the world at 4,700m, second to one in Pakistan 5,100m.

A great trip, cracking mountains and a fantastic group of people. Trekking with Austrians, highly recommended. I went with Enrique Expeditions Tours, info@enriqueexpedition.com They were all over it, I would go again.